Overview
Holding funds on a guest’s card before check-in? That’s where pre-authorisations (pre-auth) come in! With ReslyPay, you can place a temporary hold on a guest’s card without charging it right away. This is perfect for security deposits or ensuring payment is guaranteed. When the time comes, you can either release the funds or capture them as a payment—whichever suits your needs!
Before You Start
Before jumping into pre-authorisations, make sure:
ReslyPay is enabled for your property. Want to know more about ReslyPay? Check this article out!
The guest’s payment method supports pre-authorisations. Travel cards, gift cards, pre-paid credit cards, and virtual credit cards cannot be used.
You have 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) set up. Don't have 2FA set up on your login? No worries, the article How to Set Up 2-Factor Authentication will show you how!
It's super important to make sure the credit card matches the name on the reservation and online check-in. To confirm the card belongs to the guest, always verify it against their government-issued photo ID (Driver’s Licence, Proof of Age Card, or Passport). Taking this extra step can help prevent chargebacks!
How It Works
A pre-authorisation puts a temporary hold on a specific amount from the guest’s card for up to 30 days. The funds remain frozen on the guest’s card, meaning they cannot access or spend them during this period. It doesn’t charge them immediately, but it ensures the funds are available when needed.
Capturing the funds turns the hold into a completed payment, deducting the amount from the guest’s card. If the funds are captured, the transaction will appear on the bank feed. If there are remaining funds, the remainder will be released back to the card.
Releasing the funds removes the hold, allowing the guest to access their money again. However, pre-authorisations and releases do not appear on the bank feed. Generally, it can take between 24 - 48 hours, but it may take longer depending on the guest's bank.
Keep an eye on expiry dates—if the funds aren’t captured or released within 30 days, the hold will be released automatically!
Step-by-Step How to Enter a Credit Card into the Vault
Log in to Resly
Navigate to the Reservation
Click Finance tab
Click Credit Card Vault (purple card icon)
Click New Card
Enter Card Details
Tick Validate card before saving to the vault
Note: If unsuccessful, a message will appear to say the card could not be validated. If this happens, ask the guest to check with their bank or try a different card.
Click Save
Step-by-Step How to Pre-auth a Credit Card
Navigate to the Reservation
Click Finance
Click on the Credit Card Vault
Click Authorisation Hold
In the pop-up, select the Card and fill in the Required Fields
Note: We recommend ticking Remind me when it's expired.
Click Hold
Step-by-Step How to Release a Pre-auth
Navigate to the Reservation
Click on the Credit Card Vault
Click Release
Note: A message will display showing the date and time the pre-auth was released.
Step-by-Step How to Capture a Pre-auth
Navigate to the Reservation
Click Finance tab
Click New Charge
Select Guest Charge
Fill in the Required Fields
Click Add
Click on the Credit Card Vault
Click Capture
Fill in the Required Fields
Note: You can only charge up to the pre-authorised amount.
Click Capture
Note: Below are examples of what the Credit Card Vault and the Reservation will look like after the pre-auth has been captured.
For any further assistance, please contact our friendly support team.